The poster has a Yoshino Cherry in a 24 inch pot. No place to plant it, wants to have it as potted plant. Needs advice. The tree you mention is more likely several years old. At 7 feet, probably more than 3. Take the tree out of your house immediately. If it is leafed out, move it in only when frost threatens. (In NC, I hope you are done w/frost.) In the fall, allow it to freeze so that the leaves fall off, otherwise it will not bloom. You cannot keep the tree indoors for extended periods, summer or winter. In the summer, the indoor light is not strong enough, and when it goes out all the leaves will fry. In the winter, it will not go dormant and likely die after one such treatment. BTW, a potted tree outdoors does better in shade than in full sun. Two feet is a decent sized pot, but this tree will out grow that in a year or 2. You can do root and branch pruning to keep it a 7 ft. "bonsai", but that will require wrestling the tree out of its pot, knowing how much to cut, and repotting. All the while, judicious watering will be required. Did you sign up for that? These trees are sold with the idea that they will be planted out. Ideally, you could plant it alongside your patio area, maybe 20 ft or more away from any building. Lacking that, you have bought a pet tree that will need more care than an Angora cat. Maybe somebody will chime in with an easier process. Do you have a friend, relative or somebody who has room for the tree who would allow you to visit when it blooms and to lounge in its shade?

Note that all caps is hard to read and appears as though you are shouting. Maybe try North Carolina Cooperative Extension for help with your problem, something may need to be examined or tested to figure it out. Note also that Japanese flowering cherries, like orchard cherries are on the whole comparatively problem prone trees. There have been multiple posts here about difficulties with Yoshino cherry trees and other ornamental kinds under eastern conditions. Searching the site may turn up something that appears to apply to your situation.

Well, if the tree dies then I can get a swimming pool. The lady who lived here before me planted those trees in the middle of the yard. I will plant a few new trees in the back yard in the fall or spring. About how long till something like that kills it off? a few years? 10 years? It's a shame, I really do love that tree. When it does go I'll cut up the uneffected parts and use it in my smoker. Man, I really have no luck with the plants and trees at this house.

two thoughts ... first.. if you have had prior trouble.. in your area.. why beat your head on a wall ... try something else .. second.. if there are 4 across the street.. within view... why do you need 5 .. let the neighbor deal with them .. diversify ... there are plenty of other flowering .. care free trees.. to plant ... e.g. redbud ... etc ... got to tell us where you are.. to hear about alternatives ... YCs are a rather short lived tree .. a decade or so .. is about all you get .. and then they start to go down hill ... plant something else ... ken